Bill > HB1415

This bill amends the Oklahoma Antitrust Reform Act to expand and clarify provisions related to legal actions and penalties for antitrust violations. The bill modifies two key sections of existing law, first broadening the scope of who can bring a lawsuit by explicitly allowing claims for injuries that are direct or indirect, and specifying when a cause of action accrues - either when violations are discovered or on the date of the last violation in a series. The bill also empowers the Attorney General to bring civil actions on behalf of the state, governmental entities, or residents, and allows for threefold damages and recovery of legal costs. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision enabling the Attorney General to seek civil penalties of up to $1 million per violation, with the penalty amount determined by factors such as the nature of the violation, number of consumers affected, whether the violation was willful, and the defendant's size and wealth. The penalties would be paid into the state's General Revenue Fund, and the law is set to become effective on November 1, 2025. These changes aim to strengthen antitrust enforcement and provide more comprehensive legal remedies for anticompetitive practices.

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http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1415&Session=2600